Any individual performing the vulnerability assessment who is external to the organization needs to sign confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements prior to test initiation. The entire process of vulnerability assessment involves multiple documents that contain critical information. These documents, if leaked to any third-party, could cause potential damage. Hence, the VA tester and the organization must mutually agree and duly sign the terms and conditions included in the confidentiality and nondisclosure agreement. The following are some of the benefits of signing confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements:

• Ensures that the organization's information is treated with high confidentiality
• Provides cover for a number of other areas such as negligence and liability in case of any mishaps

The confidentiality and nondisclosure agreements are both powerful tools. Once the agreement is duly signed, the organization even has the right to file a lawsuit against the tester if the information is disclosed to unauthorized parties, intentionally or unintentionally.